What is Banana Ketchup? The Philippines’ Savory Banana Sauce Condiment Explained

By Patrick Kho, for Fila Manila

There’s a type of ketchup that goes on your fries, works great when mixed in a sauce, and balances both sweet and sour flavors (hint: it’s not made of tomatoes). It’s banana ketchup!

What is Banana Ketchup?

Banana ketchup is a fruit ketchup developed first in the Philippines around the 1930s. It’s made with banana, sugar, vinegar, and spices. And even though it’s made of banana, it’s still a ketchup — which means it’s got the same sweet and sour flavor, and works great in an aioli or served on the side with fries.

In Filipino and Filipino-American kitchens, the condiment is used in many dishes: these include dishes that are often already paired with tomato ketchup outside the Philippines, like omelets, hotdogs, hamburgers. But banana ketchup is also paired with dishes like fish, pork barbeque, chicken skewers, and fried chicken.

Perhaps most somewhat notoriously, banana ketchup is likely THE key ingredient in the controversial sweet Filipino spaghetti.



Outside the Philippines, banana ketchup is sometimes known as banana sauce when exported.

History of Banana Ketchup

Today, banana ketchup is used in various cuisines (it’s popular in the Caribbean), but it is a Filipino invention. 

Maria Orosa — a Filipino food technologist, chemist, and humanitarian — is credited for the invention of banana ketchup. During the Second World War, the price of imports to the Philippines were skyrocketing. Tomato plants were difficult to grow in the Philippines’ tropical climate (and were an expensive import!). Whether it was bought from another country or made in the Philippines, accessing tomato ketchup was impossible.

Maria Orosa took matters into her own hands: she combined bananas native to the Philippines with garlic, vinegar, sugar, spices, and red coloring to make a local, tomato-less version of the famed tomato ketchup.

In 1942, the first bottled Banana Ketchup hit shelves in the Philippines were a hit with locals! In the years following Orosa’s discovery, a businessman named Magdalo Francisco began mass-producing the ketchup. Ever since, it’s remained a key Filipino flavor and been synonymous with Filipino cuisine.

Read more: A brief history of banana ketchup

Banana Ketchup vs. Tomato Ketchup: What’s the difference?

According to food YouTuber Hey FilipiNosh!, banana ketchup’s flavor is more sweet and spicy, while tomato ketchup has a more powerful taste, and is on the more tangy side.

This means very different things for how well they pair with different foods. Hey FilipiNosh! says that this means banana ketchup is less overpowering; it pairs better when you still want to taste the food that you’re eating, but want to add an element of spice. 

Tomato ketchup, at times, can overpower the flavor, but if you want a stronger tasting condiment, it’s the way to go. For oiler foods, like french fries or chicken nuggets, the acidity and tanginess of tomato ketchup also work better to cut through the fat.

If you have an allergy to nightshade vegetables, banana ketchup is a great alternative to tomato ketchup.

Banana Ketchup Health Benefits

Here’s a fact that might surprise you: banana ketchup is actually healthier than tomato ketchup. Slurrp reports that it has fewer calories and more vitamins and minerals than tomato ketchup.

Since bananas are already sweet, banana ketchup requires less sugar than tomato ketchup to achieve the sweet-sour flavor balance. Banana ketchup also has more fiber than tomato ketchup — so it’s better for digestive health.

Keep in mind that tomatoes are nightshade vegetables. For those with nightshade allergies, banana ketchup can work as a great alternative.

Banana Ketchup Recipes

As discussed, there are many recipes in the Philippines that use banana ketchup as a key ingredient. Here are some examples that you can make right at home:

1. The sweet, tangy, and controversial: One Pot Filipino Filipino-Style Spaghetti. This is a Filipino household classic and mainstay at birthday parties. It's a sweet, creative take on spaghetti Bolognese. It’s somewhat decadent as well, with the amount of extra ingredients it needs. You’ll either love it or hate it, but regardless, it’s a must try. 
   
   
   
2. Sweet and Sour Banana Ketchup Meatballs, This is a childhood recipe from Jake Deleon, Fila Manila’s founder. “These sweet and sour meatballs were always a go-to recipe to serve when guests were coming over,” he remembers. “[They] would always disappear from the plate faster than anything else!” The secret to this guaranteed crowd pleaser? Jake says it’s banana ketchup!
   
   
   
3. Pork Giniling — Filipino Pork & Vegetable Stew, There’s nothing like an economical, easy-to-make main course that you can make after an exhausting day at work. Pork Giniling is exactly that — one of the fastest main courses to cook in Filipino cuisine (our recipe in particular takes 30 minutes to cook and can be made all in one pan). Best of all: banana ketchup is a key flavoring in this pork and vegetable stew.
   
   
   
4. Tortang Talong Yet another Filipino classic: tortang talong is an eggplant omelet, made by pan-frying grilled whole eggplants dipped in an egg mixture. It’s a popular breakfast or lunch dish — the eggplant’s smokiness, especially when paired with the sweetness of banana ketchup, provides a flavor-packed start to the day. Fila Manila founder Jake Deleon says it’s one of his “signature” dishes.
   
   

Easy Banana Ketchup in the United States

Trying to find banana ketchup in the United States? Find these classic flavors in Manila’s Banana Ketchup — available online, and in large American retailers like Target and Walmart.

Common Banana Ketchup Questions — We’re Here to Answer

Is banana ketchup spicy?

Not typically! Traditional banana ketchup is more sweet and tangy rather than spicy. But keep in mind that there are some spicier versions available, though this is more common with banana ketchup variants from the Caribbean. So check the label if you're looking for a mild or spicy flavor!

Is banana ketchup gluten-free?

Yes, like tomato ketchup, banana ketchup generally does not contain ingredients with gluten. 

Does banana ketchup taste like bananas?

No, banana ketchup doesn’t taste like bananas. Much like tomato ketchup, it has a tangy, sweet flavor profile (though it’s often less acidic and has a more complex sweetness).

Can I substitute banana ketchup for tomato ketchup in recipes?

Yes, Maria Orosa invented banana ketchup with this very purpose in mind! You can substitute tomato ketchup in most recipes, though it will add a slightly sweeter and fruitier note. 

Where can I buy banana ketchup?

Banana ketchup is available in many Asian and Filipino grocery stores. In the United States, Fila Manila’s Banana Ketchup is available in large retailers like Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods.

Is banana ketchup suitable for vegans?

Yes, banana ketchup is vegan. Primary ingredients include bananas, sugar, vinegar, and spices. Fila Manila’s Banana Ketchup, for example, is vegan. Always be sure to check the ingredients of your desired product, though.